Ronald Lee Fiel

Ronald Lee Fiel, 88, of Morehead, KY, passed away July 27, 2024, after a full life and a long struggle with cancer. 

Ron was born December 3, 1935, to Alex and Ruby Fiel of Woodward, OK. Their family was struck by tragedy in 1947 when Woodward was devastated by an F5 tornado outbreak which destroyed their home and killed three of his siblings. They soon moved to Larned, KS, where Ron graduated high school in 1954. While he was studying to earn his BS in biology from Fort Hayes State, Ron worked for Waffensmith as a lineman bringing power to remote areas of Kansas and North Dakota. After graduating, he taught biology at Argentine HS in Kansas City, KS.

Thankfully, Ron attended a summer workshop at South Dakota State, because there he met Ann Pfeiffer. The next year, they tied the knot in a double wedding along with her sister, Jan, (to Gary Nelsen) in their hometown of Morton, MN. After several more teaching positions and earning his master’s degree from Emporia State and EdD from Indiana University, Ron became a professor at Morehead State University where he taught science education retiring after 30 years. His teaching motto was, “Thou shall not tell. But make sure that they find out.”

Besides simply teaching, Dr. Fiel had a long history of promoting education including co-authoring the textbook Science Process Skills, founding the Kentucky Science Teachers Association, and directing the regional science fair and Kentucky Science Olympiad.

Ron loved camping and hiking both on family trips as well as Boy Scout adventures. He shepherded both sons from Bobcat to Eagle Scout and continued to serve as the local pack’s cubmaster for 21 years. Ron also served the Morehead community, first through the Kiwanis and then the Optimist Club including six years ringing the bell as president. When he wasn’t recreating on the golf course, Ron was an avid woodworker with gorgeous pieces ranging from a rocking cradle to a full kitchen cabinet rebuild. He loved to travel and was also an enthusiastic patron of the arts as an actor in the Community Theatre, a board member of the Cave Run Symphony, and frequent attendee of the MSU arts panorama.

Ron is survived by Ann Fiel, his wife of 63 years; brother Don Fiel (Gail) of San Antonio, TX; sons Allan Fiel (Cathleen Carsner) of Great Falls, MT and David Fiel (Carol) of Cincinnati, OH with six grandchildren: Gabriel, Christina “Sam”, Angela, Sara “BB”, Raphael, and Michael.

A memorial service for Ron will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Northcutt & Son (400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351) with visitation at 2 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Morehead State University Foundation in support of Science Education, 150 University Boulevard, Morehead, KY 40351.

View or sign online guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com

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